Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-02-19
HIP POCKETS In POLITICS
THE CORONER'S JURY IN TEXAS
NOT A SHAM.

yestigation Committee held a half hours
secret session this morning before pro-
ceedlng to the examination of witnesses.
Frank Newman {white) was recalled.
In reply to Senator Evarts, he said he
saw the three negroes who wera lynched
while they were still hanging. They
we're hanging to tree near the road
about one mile north of Brenham. There
was a crowd Of people from town on the
ground. The witness was one of the
Coroner's jury. The verdict was that
the men were hanged by parties to the
jury unknown.
TIE PRESIDING JUSTICE.
On cross-eXamination by Senator Pugh
the witness said that K. Z. HackwOrth, a
brother OF one of the memorlalists, was
the Justice OF the Peace under whom the
Coroner's inquest was held. The inquest
lasted the whole day, and then adjourned
over for three days to give an opportunity
for gathering evidence. No evidence was
discovered pointing to any particular
person or persons as guilty OF hanging.
The Justice of the Peace was a Republi-
can. The witness himself made an honest
effort to get at the facts, and he believed
the other jurors did.
THE INDIGNATION MEETING.
Charles Bauer (white), a German, was
examined. He had lived in Burton,
Tex, twelve years. He moved to Texas
from Philadelphia twenty-one years ago.
He was one OF the Republican judges at
the Burton polling place. The witness
was one of the committee appointed at an
Indignation meeting held at Burton, after
the hanging of the negroes, to condemn
the Outrages-''the hanging and running
men out OF the country" 1t was a meet
ing OF citizens regardless of politics.
Probably, however, there was a majority
OF Republicans, but prominent Demo-
Gratis took part. Resolutions were adopted
in accordance with the purpose for which
the meeting was called. The witness had
personal knowledge that Joe Hoffman,
the Tax Assessor of the county, and
others had received written notices
signed "CitlZens" to leave the county.
THE ASSERTIONS NOT DISPUTED.
The receipt of these notices was stated
publicly at the meeting. and The fact was
not questioned by anyone. The riots and
irregularities were talked about and no
one denied their occurrence. They were
alluded to in the preamble of the resolu-
tons, and the document itself declared it
to be the purpose of the people of Burton
to protect all law-abiding citizens in their
persons ana property. Copies were sent
10 the papers. The Brenham Banner re.
fused to publish the resolutions. The
Galveston News published them in full.
The committee appointed consisted of
two or three Republicans and three or
four Democrats. Men were appointed by
the committee to guard Hoffman and his
property during the next ten or twelve
days. By that time the excitement had
died out.
WRITTEN BY A DEMOCRAT.
On cross-examination the witness said
s0me of the men who received notices to
leave had already left before the COM
mittee was appointed. The resolution
was written by Mr.. Watson, the Demo-
cratc postmaster, from suggestions
made by the committee. 1t mb0died the
voice OF the meeting. Hoffman had
discharged the duties of his office, and
was doing so to-day. Washington county
was populous county and an agricul-
tural county. Times were 'Emighty dup
now, as all over Texas. The Germans in
that county are pretty generally Repub-
means. A good many Repu blicans voted
The peoples ticket. The witness had
voted the peoples ticket slightly altered.
ihere were good many violent people
IN tnat vicinity, and there were frequent
disturbances thereabouts which mad no
connection with politics.
HIS LIFE THREATENED.
George W. Brown (colored) J, a county
commissioner, was recalled and identi-
leo the paper he found pinned to his sad.
ole. 1t was as follows: "George w.
brown, as Republicanism is dead, dead
IN Washington county, you better resign
ana leave the country, or you will be
Killed." The signature was picture Of
cooked gun.
a. u. Scott, colored clergyman, was
recalled. In answer to Senator Pugh, the
witness stated that former Republican
county official was a defaulter. The
Onilest one" he ever heard make an in
cendlary speech was rival preacher OF
Ills own denomination.
PorTER's WARNING
U. b. Potter (white), Republican. II
!e@ls olo, "a livery stable keeper, was
Galled and examined by Senator Spooner.
ne SAID the Republicans had from 200 to
1,oOo majority In Washington county.
lney mad generally elected their ticket,
WIN some exceptions in individual cases.
slhce the war until two years ago, when
the Peoples" ticket was elected, there
peihg no straight Democratic ticket in
ene neld. The witness never heard of any
cuorG being made to discover the men
- - I"Sh0u tuo IuIeo negroes. Inc wit
,S ness received the following paper through
the mails:
DEo. 3l.-O. B. P0ttey: SIR-We have been
""lthB lor some time for you to arrange
yOW' ~ ~, gus ness ami leave this county. This is
bo,uly ~ nouly you that If YOU persist in staying
in ~ , MANY uays Longer you VIII be dealt with
~ " very severe manner.
CITIZENS w. Co.
ADVICE SOUGHT.
me witness called on Judge Kirk TO
NSA IL ne was in danger. Judge Kirk re-
pieo that 1T was understood that the
"itness was trying TO get rid of his prop
urty Tor the purpose of leaving. II tbat
were true, Judge Kirk thought there was
1 ~ uauger. lie also called upon Lewis
Dryan, prominent Democratic lawyer.
s sna was informed that. he (Bryan) had
nneIped HackwOrth (the memoriahst) to
hhu purchaser for his property, and mad
,i uau nara work i'll keeping the mob of until
me me transaction could be completed ana
Sne Ihan could get away. TIE witness
!elt Town Tor eight DAYS in CONSEQUENCE of
eue information received from a Demo.
cratlc friend, who INVESTIGATED the
'ureats against him and told him his life
'"s not worth shuck ii be remained.
SEVERAL DEPARTURES.
IN ncross-eXaminntion the witness said
,neie n3i were number Of active and infiu-
p. Sns,sl hepuOllcans, white and colored. I'm
torJ orJuain-perhaps dozen of them, all
a tSViu-Mno mad received notices TO leave.
q. ~ gIeat many of the most active and in
uuentlal Republinane had laF, ~ =, .'.',s,....